Kanpur Cricket Umpire Dies After Bee Attack During Under-13 Match

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A cricket umpire in Uttar Pradesh's Kanpur died after a swarm of bees attacked players and officials during an under-13 match, triggering chaos at the ground and leaving several others injured.

Manik Gupta, 65, who had been associated with the Kanpur Cricket Association for nearly three decades, was officiating the match when the incident occurred. Eyewitnesses said a swarm of bees suddenly descended on the field, forcing players, spectators and match officials to run for cover.

Gupta sustained multiple stings during the attack. He was first taken to a nearby hospital and later shifted to a higher medical facility as his condition deteriorated. Doctors subsequently declared him dead.

Another umpire, Jagdish Sharma, was also injured but is reported to be out of danger. Several players and spectators who suffered bee stings have been hospitalised and are receiving treatment.

Gupta was a familiar figure in Kanpur's cricketing circles, having officiated numerous regional fixtures over the past 30 years. His death has prompted shock within the local sporting community.

The incident echoes a similar episode in 2019, when a one-day match between India A and England Lions in Thiruvananthapuram was temporarily halted after bees invaded the stadium. While several people were stung in that case, no fatalities were reported.